Something Was Wrong

S24 Ep17: Wounded

October 15, 2025

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  • The guest, Terry, sent her son Anthony to the Academy at Ivy Ridge, a troubled teen facility, out of desperation, which ultimately led to his suicide, highlighting the devastating consequences of such placements. 
  • Anthony revealed to his mother shortly before his death that he had been sexually assaulted at Ivy Ridge, an abuse that had been carried for 18 years and contributed significantly to his emotional wounding. 
  • Terry's journey evolved from believing she was helping her son to realizing she had placed him in a dangerous, cult-like environment, leading her to become an advocate against such programs alongside fellow survivors. 

Segments

Introduction and Content Warning
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(00:00:58)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode of Something Was Wrong, S24 Ep17: Wounded, contains severe content warnings including suicide, sexual assault of a child, and institutional abuse.
  • Summary: The episode is intended for mature audiences and discusses violence endured by survivors during childhood. Listeners are advised to consume with care, and full content warnings and resources are available in the episode notes. Guest opinions shared do not necessarily represent the views of Broken Cycle Media.
Terry’s Son’s Struggles
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(00:02:11)
  • Key Takeaway: Anthony’s behavioral issues escalated from steroid use following high school weight loss to opioid use (Roxy’s) after a car accident necessitated pain medication.
  • Summary: Anthony began using steroids in high school after a damaging comment from his football coach about his weight loss. Following a car accident that required surgery, he was prescribed painkillers, which led to him using opioids like Roxy’s. Terry sought outpatient counseling, but Anthony’s substance use continued to be a major concern.
Sending Anthony to Ivy Ridge
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(00:07:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Terry learned about WASP programs, including the Academy at Ivy Ridge, from a grad student counselor when traditional options failed, leading her to take a second mortgage for the expensive placement.
  • Summary: Feeling she had exhausted all other options for her 17-year-old son, Terry was advised to research WASP facilities, which she found controversial but successful. The Academy at Ivy Ridge was chosen because it was still in New York, despite the high cost of $3,490 per month. To finance the placement, Terry and her husband took out a second mortgage on their home.
Forced Transport and Initial Deception
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(00:10:16)
  • Key Takeaway: Anthony was forcibly removed from his home by Teen Escort agents because he refused to voluntarily travel eight hours to the facility.
  • Summary: Because Anthony would not willingly go to Ogdensburg, New York, the facility recommended Teen Escort to retrieve him without warning. Terry recalls the painful memory of watching two large men take her begging son away, feeling deeply deceived by the program’s portrayal versus the reality of the transport. Upon arrival, Anthony immediately stated he would not stay and expected his mother to retrieve him.
Communication Restrictions at Ivy Ridge
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(00:11:59)
  • Key Takeaway: Anthony was restricted to writing one letter home per week and could not speak to his mother on the phone until he reached a specific level (Level 4) nearly five months after arrival.
  • Summary: Communication was severely limited, involving only one required letter home per week from Anthony, and sporadic updates from a family representative. Anthony had to earn the right to speak to his mother, which he achieved on December 19th, 2003, after arriving on August 12th, 2003. He graduated high school at Ivy Ridge but did not complete the program’s required levels.
Post-Program Life and Trauma Revelation
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(00:20:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Anthony graduated college and maintained a loving relationship with his mother, but revealed 18 years later that he was sexually assaulted at Ivy Ridge, which was a secret he kept from his father.
  • Summary: Anthony successfully earned a bachelor’s degree from UNLV, and Terry cherishes memories of his graduation and decorating his apartment for Christmas. After moving out, Anthony called his mother in distress, revealing he had been sexually assaulted at Ivy Ridge, a trauma he had carried for nearly two decades. Terry was reeling, realizing the profound wounding caused by the program she initiated.
Anthony’s Suicide and Aftermath
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(00:25:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Anthony died by suicide via train impact shortly after telling his mother he loved her, leaving behind a text message saying ‘I love you, Ma’ sent just minutes before the incident.
  • Summary: After a final visit where Anthony seemed determined to leave despite his mother’s pleas, he left her home and died by suicide approximately 45 minutes later when a train hit his car. The realization of his death was immediate upon hearing the local siren, confirming Terry’s mother’s intuition. The parents consented to organ donation, honoring Anthony’s kind nature, which required keeping him on life support for several extra days.
Advocacy and Survivor Community
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(00:33:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Terry learned the full scope of institutional abuse through the documentary ‘The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnappings’ and found solidarity with survivors who fiercely defended her against online attacks.
  • Summary: Terry expressed anger that the people running these facilities profit and reopen under new names while survivors suffer lasting wreckage, calling their actions a ‘mortal sin.’ After watching the documentary, survivors rallied to support Terry when she was attacked online for sending her son to Ivy Ridge. She found immense comfort and connection with the survivors, whom she describes as the kindest people despite their own suffering.